EASA AD No.

: 2012-0175R2

Airworthiness Directive
AD No.:

2012-0175R2

Issued:

02 February 2016

Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation
(EC) 216/2008 on behalf of the European Union, its Member States and of the European third
countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that Regulation.
This AD is issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the
continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an aircraft to which
an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I,
Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [Regulation (EC) 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption].

Design Approval Holders Name:

AIRBUS
Effective Date:

Type/Model designation(s):
A318, A319, A320 and A321 aeroplanes

Revision 2: 04 February 2016

Revision 1: 21 January 2014
Original issue: 21 September 2012

TCDS Number(s): EASA.A.064

Foreign AD:

Not applicable

Revision:

This AD revises EASA AD 2012-0175R1 dated 07 January 2014.

ATA 27 Flight Controls Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer Actuator Ballscrew Lower

Splines Inspection / Replacement
Manufacturer(s):
Airbus (formerly Airbus Industrie)
Applicability:
Airbus A318-111, A318-112, A318-121, A318-122, A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-114,
A319-115, A319-131, A319-132, A319-133, A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, A320-215, A320-216,
A320-231, A320-232, A320-233, A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212, A321-213,
A321-231 and A321-232 aeroplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers.
Reason:
Some Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer Actuators (THSA), Part Number (P/N) 47147-500 fitted on
A330/A340 aeroplanes were found with corrosion, affecting the ballscrew lower splines between
the tie bar and the screw-jack. The affected ballscrew is made of steel and anti-corrosion protection
is ensured, except on both extremities (upper and lower splines) where Molykote is applied.
The results of the technical investigations identified that the corrosion was caused by a combination
of contact/friction between the tie bar and the inner surface of the ballscrew leading to the removal
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EASA AD No.: 2012-0175R2

of Molykote (corrosion protection) at the level of the tie bar splines, humidity ingress initiating
surface oxidation starting from areas where Molykote is removed, and water retention in THSA
lower part leading to corrosion spread out and to the creation of a brown deposit (iron oxide).
The results of the technical investigations also concluded that the ballscrews of THSA P/N
47145-XXX (where XXX stands for a specific numerical value), installed on A320 family aeroplanes,
might be affected by this corrosion issue.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, may lead, in case of ballscrew rupture, to loss of
transmission of THSA torque loads from the ballscrew to the tie-bar, prompting THSA blowback,
possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane.
Prompted by these findings, EASA issued AD 2012-0175 (later revised to exclude a new THSA P/N
47145-168, which is not affected) to require repetitive detailed inspections of the ballscrew lower
splines of the affected THSA to detect corrosion and, depending on findings, the accomplishment of
applicable corrective actions.
Since EASA AD 2012-0175R1 was issued, new P/N THSA have been developed by UTC Aerospace
Systems (UTAS, formerly Goodrich) that are not affected by the corrosion issue addressed by this
AD. Airbus issued SB A320-27-1222 to provide corresponding aeroplane modification instructions.
Consequently, this AD is further revised to include a full list (Appendix 1 of this AD) of affected
THSA. Installation of any other P/N THSA not listed in appendix 1 constitutes terminating action for
the repetitive inspections required by this AD: at the issue date of the revision 2 of this AD, the
THSA P/N 47145-148, P/N 47145-168, P/N 47145-248 and P/N 47145-268 are certified and known
to be not affected by the corrosion issue addressed by this AD.
Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s):
Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:
(1) Initially, within the compliance time indicated in Table 1 of this AD, and thereafter at intervals
not to exceed 24 months, accomplish a detailed inspection of the ballscrew of each THSA
having a P/N listed in Appendix 1 of this AD, in accordance with the instructions of Airbus
Service Bulletin (SB) A320-27-1214.
Table 1 Initial THSA inspection
Compliance Time (whichever occurs later, A or B)
A

Before accumulating 22 years (see Note 1 of this AD)

Within 3 months after 21 September 2012 [the effective date of the original issue of
this AD]

Note 1: For the purpose of this AD, the definition of THSA first flight is the THSA entry into service
date as listed in Goodrich SB 47145-27-16. If the THSA P/N is not listed in Goodrich SB
47145-27-16, the THSA first flight is the manufacturing date engraved on the THSA identification
plate.

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EASA AD No.: 2012-0175R2

(2) If, during any inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, corrosion is found, within the
applicable compliance time as defined in Paragraph 1.E.(2) of Airbus SB A320-27-1214,
accomplish the applicable corrective actions (additional inspections of the affected THSA
ballscrew, followed by replacement of the affected THSA) in accordance with the instructions of
Airbus SB A320-27-1214. Within 90 days after an inspection where corrosion is found, report
the results to Airbus.
(3) Replacement of a THSA as required by paragraph (2) of this AD does not constitute terminating
action for the repetitive inspections as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, except as specified
in paragraph (5) of this AD.
(4) From 21 September 2012 [the effective date of the original issue of this AD], do not install on
any aeroplane a THSA having a P/N listed in Appendix 1 of this AD, unless the part has not yet
accumulated 22 years since its first flight, or unless it has been determined that the THSA is
classified as Type 1 (no corrosion) at the time of installation, in accordance with criteria defined
in Airbus SB A320-27-1214, and on the condition that, following installation, the THSA is
inspected and, depending on findings, corrected as required by this AD.
(5) Installation on an aeroplane of a THSA having a P/N not listed in Appendix 1 of this AD
constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections as required by paragraph (1) of this
AD for that aeroplane, provided the installation is accomplished in accordance with approved
aircraft modification instructions.
Using the instructions of Airbus SB A320-27-1222 to replace an affected THSA is an acceptable
method to modify an aeroplane.
(6) An aeroplane on which Airbus modification 154170 (installation of THSA P/N 47145-168 with
improved ballscrew design) and/or modification 156952 (installation of THSA P/N 47145-268
fitted with improved ballscrew design and Electrical Load Sensing Device -ELSD) has been
embodied in production is not affected by the requirements of paragraphs (1) of this AD,
provided that it is determined that no THSA with a P/N as listed in Appendix 1 of this AD is
installed on that aeroplane.
Ref. Publications:
Airbus SB A320-27-1214 original issue dated 23 February 2012.
Airbus SB A320-27-1222 original issue dated 17 July 2015.
Goodrich SB 47145-27-16 original issue dated 07 November 2011.
UTAS SB 47145-27-18 original issue dated 31 March 2015.
UTAS SB 47145-27-20 original issue dated 16 July 2015.
The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of this AD.

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EASA AD No.: 2012-0175R2

Remarks:
1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative Methods of
Compliance for this AD.
2.

The original issue of this AD was posted on 04 June 2012 as PAD 12-057 for consultation until
18 June 2012. The Comment Response Document can be found at http://ad.easa.europa.eu.

3.

Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the EASA Safety Information Section,
Certification Directorate. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu.

4.

For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in this AD, please
contact: AIRBUS Airworthiness Office EIAS, Fax +33 5 61 93 44 51,
E-mail: account.airworth-eas@airbus.com.

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EASA AD No.: 2012-0175R2

Appendix 1 Affected P/N 47145-XXX THSA

P/N no ELSD

P/N with ELSD

(post-UTAS SB 47145-27-20)

47145-021
47145-030
47145-031
47145-032
47145-033
47145-034
47145-035
47145-036
47145-037
47145-050
47145-051
47145-052
47145-053
47145-054
47145-055
47145-056
47145-057
47145-121
47145-130

47145-230

47145-131

47145-231

47145-132

47145-232

47145-133

47145-233

47145-134

47145-234

47145-135

47145-235

47145-136

47145-236

47145-137

47145-237

47145-140

47145-240

47145-141

47145-241

47145-142

47145-242

47145-143

47145-243

47145-144

47145-244

47145-145

47145-245

47145-146

47145-246

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EASA AD No.: 2012-0175R2

Appendix 1 Affected P/N 47145-XXX THSA (continued)

P/N no ELSD

P/N with ELSD

(post-UTAS SB 47145-27-20)

47145-147

47145-247

47145-150

47145-250

47145-151

47145-251

47145-152

47145-252

47145-153

47145-253

47145-154

47145-254

47145-155

47145-255

47145-156

47145-256

47145-157

47145-257

47145-160

47145-260

47145-161

47145-261

47145-162

47145-262

47145-163

47145-263

47145-164

47145-264

47145-165

47145-265

47145-166

47145-266

47145-167

47145-267

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